Pumping apparatus



Feb; 4, 1930. .1. A. YERKEs PUMPING APPARATUS Filed March 6. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNE YS.

INVENTOR, 7077/7 Yer/fe Feb. 4, 1930. J. A. YERKL-:s

' PUMPING APPARATUS Filed March 6. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE YS.

Feb. 4, 1930. J. A, YERKES 1,745,566

PUMPING APPARATUS h Filed March 6. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ll Ik H11 11i/@- A TTORNE YS.

I IN VEN TOR, 75k/v Yew/(65,' B Y A wmf/@Mhz Feb. 4, 1930. J. A.' YERKES PUMPING APPARATUS Filed March 6, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 4, 1930. J. A. YERKES lPUMPING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 6, 1926 www ATTORNEYS.

rafenfea ses. 4, leso JOHN A. YEBXES, F LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA PUMPING APPARATUS Application md March e, 192e'. serial No. 92,702.

This invention relates to pumping apparatus, and particularly to the type of pumping apparatus designed for use where space is limited, such as 1n oil wells. More specifically 5 the invention embodies that'type of pumping apparatus in whichthe cylinder and piston and valve of a single cylinderpump-engine and a pump are arranged'and constructed to operate in tandem.

The general object of the invention is to l provide a` practical pumping apparatus of the character stated in which simplicity and convenience of structural arrangement, and ease and eliciency of operation, will be combined. i

A more particular objectfis to provide a pumping apparatus as above set forth which may be operated by fluid under pressure and without the use of a sucker rod.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction and interrelation of parts, members and features, all 'as shown in the drawings, hereinafter described, and finally 'pointed out in claims.

In lthe drawings:

Figure l is an elevation of the pumping apparatus, partly in section, shown in pumping position in an oil well, with the oil well casing shown in section;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are fragmentary views partly in elevation and partly in section, on a larger scale than Fig. 41, of the upper, intermediate and lower portions respectively of the pumping apparatus;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary longitudinal sectional views on a larger scale than Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive, of the engine valve, the engine and its pump coupling and the pump respectively of. the apparatus;

Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section on a considerably larger scale than Fig. 5 of the engine valve;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 6;

Figure -10 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the valve cylinder;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary-view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of the valve cylinder;

,6, the upper end of which tube is screw- Figure 12 is a horizontal section of the engine Valve taken on line 12-l2 of Fig. 5;

Figure 13 is a horizontal section of the engine valve taken on the line 13 13 of Fig. 5;

Figure 14 is a horizontal section of the en- 55 gine valve taken on the line 14-14 of Fig. 5;

Figure 15 is a horizontal section of the valve, taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 5;

Figure 16 'is a vertical sectional view of the engine valve and connecting parts embodying a modication of the invention;

Figure 17 is a horizontal section taken on line 174-17 of Fig. 16;

Figure 18 is a cross sectional view on the line 18-18 of Fig. 16; es

Figure 19 is a horizontal section taken o line 19-19 of-Fig. 16;

Figure 20 is a vertical sectional view of the casing head embodying the invention.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are designated by the same reference characters.

Referring with particularity to the'drawings, the apparatus includes generally an oil pump P, an engine E, an engine valve V, an operating Huid pump O, and a fluid tank T.

The pump P may be of standard construction including a pump cylinder p, a plunger p', pump rod p2, inlet I, a shoe l, standing valve 2, and plunger valve 3. i

The engine E includes a cylinder e, a piston a0 a piston rod e2 connected to the lower end of said piston and a valve rod e3 connected to the upper end of said piston. Ports e4 and e5 are provided in the lower and upper ends respectively of cylinder e. The piston rod e2 is coupled at its' lower end to the uppel` end of the pump rod p2 by a coupling e".

The upper end of the cylinder p is screw connected at 5 t0 the lower end of a pump tube connected at 7 to the lower end vof a hollow coupling K. The coupling K is formed with a conical lower end portion. 8 which is provided with an annular groove 9 in which is fitted a gasket 10. The coupling Kis located 93 in the lower end of a pump return tube R, the lower end of the coupling extending downwardly through a hollow plug or shoe 1 which is screw-seated at 11 in the lower end of said tube and is formed with a conical seat 12 on 100 i which seats the lowerconical end with its lets communicate with the lower end .of the pump return tube R. On the upper end of the coupling K is formed the lower head 14 of the engine cylinder e, which head is screw seated at 15 in the lower end of said cylinder, and is formed with a packing box 16 through which the lower pistonrod c2 extends. The packing box 16 includes a gland 17 fitted in the lower end of the box, gland bolts 18 and gland springs 19. On the lower end of the packing box 16 is formed an annular groove 20 and an annular external flange 21 below said groove, in the periphery of which flange are provided lnotches 22 in which are fitted the upper ends of bolts 18, the heads 23 of said bolts litting in the groove 20. The bolts 18 are4 soldered in the notches 22 with lead 24, while the heads 23 of said boltsare soldered to the upper wall of .groove 20 with lead 25. The gland .17 has an external flange 26 on its lower end'which is, provided with openings 27 through which extend the bolts 18. The bolts`18 have threads 28 on which screw nuts 29 and lock nuts 30 below the nuts 29. Collars 31 are fitted on the bolts 18 upon the nuts 29 and the springs 19 surround the bolts 18 between the said collars and 'the gland flange 26 and force the gland 17 upwardly in the packing box l16 against the packing 32 therein to maintain the packing in fluid-tight contact with the piston rod e2.

The valve V includes a valve cylinder fv, a

hollow valve plunger lv', reciprocatively mounted in said cylinder, a hollow auxiliary plunger 112, an inlet 'v3 and an outlet lv4.

The lower end of the valve cylinder lv is welded at its periphery at 35 to the upper end of the engine cylinder e-and the upper valve rod e, extends through the valve cylinder an'd the valve plunger 'v'. A metal packing 36 is fitted in the lower end of the valve cylinder 'v and in the upper end of the engine cylinder e, through which packing reciprocates the upper rod e3 whereby fluid is prevented from passing irom the lower end of the valve cylinder into the upper end of the cylinder, or vice versa.

The cylinder 'v is provided with a bore 40 extending downwardly therein of a uniform diameter, from its upper end to a shoulder 41 in the lower portion thereof, from which shoulder downwardly the bore isredluced engine slightly in diameter. In the lower endof the cylinder bore 40 is fitted a bushing 42 which rests at its lower end upon the shoulder 41 and is formed in its upper end with a bearing 43 in which the lower end of the plunger lv is slidably mounted, In the bore 40 above the bushing 42 is fitted a bushing 44, of larger internal diameter than the bushing 42, the bushing 44 resting at its lower end upon the upper end of the bushing 42 and surroundin the auxiliary plunger c which is slidab y mounted between the bushing 44 and the plunger fv.' In the* bore 40 above the bushing '44 is fitted a bushing-45 which rests at its lower end upon the up er end of the bushing 44. The bushing 45lias an internal diameter somewhat larger than the external diameter of the plunger c', but said bushing is formed with a bearing 46 in its lower end in which the plunger vf is slidably mounted. The c lindcr o is provided with an internal threa 47 in the upper end of its bore 40, inl

which thread is seated an externally threaded 'locking sleeve 48, the lower end ozt'A which sleeve engages the upper end of the bushing 45 and locks said bushing together with the bushings 44 and 42 in the bore 40. A lock nut 49 screws on the external thread of the locking sleeve 48 against the upper end of the valve cylinder c for locking the sleeve in locking position against turning. The upper end portion lof the plunger o is provided with a plurality of inlets 50. Below the inlets 50 the plunger o is formed with an annular groove 51 in which -is itted a' split friction ring 52 formed with. an internal annular groove 53 in which is fitted a coil spring 54 which urgesthe sections of the ring outwardly into frictional contact with the inner' Figs. 5 and 8). The plunger lv is providedl with a wide shallowannular external groove lob 56 below the outlets 55 which groove rests adjacent the inner surface of the auxiliary plunger o2. In the lower end of the plunger c is provided a plurality of outlets 57 which rest in the lower end of the bushing 44'immediately above the bearing 43 when the plunger is raised to its uppermost position (see Figs. 5 and 8). lower and upper ends of the plunger 'u' respectivel which heads have central bores 60 and 61 t rough which and the plunger extends the piston rods e3 of the engine E. vA collar 62 is secured on the lower portion of the lvalve rod e3 for engaging the lower head 58 for eiecting the upward stroke of the plunger,

and a collar 63 is secured on the upper end of Heads 58 and 59 are fitted in the the piston rod cB for engaging the upper head standing longitudinal ribs 67 and two segmental ribs 68von the inner wall, there being :mesme preferably four of the ribs 67 spaced equidistantly apart and the ribs 68 being located near the upper end of the outer wall 66 and extending from a common longitudinal rib 67 respectively in opposite directions to the next ribs 67. Passages` 7 0 and 71 are formed between certain of the ribs 67 and between' the inner cylinder wall 65 and outer cylinder wall 66, while passages 72 and 73 are formed between the other ribs 67 and between the cylinder walls below the rib 68, and passages 74 and 75 are formed between the ribs 67 and between the cylinder walls above the rib 68. The inner cylinder wall 65 is formed in the upper portion thereof lwith three internal annular grooves 76, 77 and 78, spaced a short distance apart one below the other. The inner cylinder wall 65 is also formed with, ports 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85, which establish communication between the interior of said cylinder wall and the passages 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 and 75 respectively. The passages 74 and 75 lead upwardly into the outlet fv.

The bushing 44 is provided with a plurality of ports 86, 87 and 88 which register with the annular internal grooves 76, 77 and 78 re'- spectively in the inner wall.65 of the cylinder. The inner surface of the bushing 44 is provided with grooves 89 inclined outwardly in a downward direction to the ports 86, and

with grooves 90 inclined outwardly in an upwardly direction to ports 88, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The lower end of the auxiliary plunger o2 is beveled u wardly in an inward direction as at 91 and t eupper end of said plunger is beveled downwardly in an inward direction as indicated at 92 for the purpose hereinafter described. The auxiliary plunger v2 is formed with a wide annular groove 93 in its outer surface, the lower and upper edgesof which groove are beveled. The plunger 'v2 is provided with ports 94 extending from the bore of the plunger into the groove 93.

`The valve cylinder outer wall 66 extends downwardly over the engine cylinder e and is welded thereto at its lower ends as at 95 and 96, whereby the. passages 70 and 71 are continued downwardly into communication with the engine cylinder port et, while the passages 72`and 73 are continued downwardly into communication with engine cylinder Dort e5.

On the upper part of the cylinder o is provided an external thread 97 which is engaged by a thread 98 in the lower end of a tube 99 which forms the inlet 03, the upper end of which is provided with an internal thread 100. l

The upper end of the inlet tube 99 is screwseated by means of its thread 100 on the lower externally-threaded end 101 of a gas cushion tube 102, the upper end 103 of which is reduced and the upper end of a fluid inlet tube 104 is welded in said reduced end 103, which nected at its upper end in a casing head 108 at the top of the oil well W. (See Figs. l and 20). The pump return tube R extends upwardly over the coupling K, engine E,

valve V, gas cushion tube 102, and fluid in' take tube 107, and is screw-connected at itsv upper end 107'* to the casin head 108, in communication with a casing ead chamber 110. The pump P, coupling K, and pump return tube R with the parts enclosed therein extend down into the well W within the well casing C which is connected at its upper end to the casing head 108 in the usual manner.

The operating pump O includes a pump cylinder o, which intakes fluid, such as oil,

from the tank T through an intake pipe 111 leading from said tank, and exhausts through an exhaust pipe 112 which connects to the upper end of the casing head 108 in communication with the upper end of the fluid intake pipe 107. A swinging nozzle 113 is pivotally connected in the upper part of tank T to the pump intake tube 111 so that the inlet end of the nozzle will oat in the upper strata ofthe oil 115 in said tank, so as not to take in any dirt or precipitate in the bottom of the tank. A pump return pipe 116 is connected to the casing head 108 and'leads from the chamber 110 of said head into the bottom of the tank T, said pipe being controlled by a valve 117. A delivery pipe 118, controlled by a valve 119, is connected to the casing head 108 and leads from the chamber 110, through which pipe the pumping apparatus delivers its prriuct, such as oil, pumped from an oil we The operation of the invention is as follows: Assuming the valve' plunger 'v' to be at the upper end of its stroke, as shown in Figs. 5. and 8, fluid such as oil under pressure is pumped by the operating pump O through exhaust pipe 112, Huid intake pipe 107, inlet pipe 104, inlet '03, into the bore of locking sleeve 48, ports 50, valve plunger fu', plunger outlets 57, bushing ports 88, openings 82 and 83, passages 72 and 73, and port e5, into the' upper end of the engine cylinder c, where the fluid forcesthe engine piston e', its rods e2 `and e3, pump rod p2 and pump plunger p ,cylinder through passages and 71, openings 80 and 81, groove l76, ports 86, groove plunger head 59 and forces the plunger fv" downward. On the downward stroke of the plunger the ports 57 pass into the bearing 43 and are closed, which shuts off the fluidto the passages 72 and 73, while the ports 55 i pass through the bearing 46- and admit fluid under pressure between the lower end of the bearing and the beveled upper end 92 of the auxiliary plunger o2, whereupon said plunger 'is forced down. As the plungersv v and 'v2 continue their downward movement, the

plunger fu moving slightly faster lthan the` plunger 02, the lower edge of the annular groove 56,passes below the lower, end of the yauxiliary plunger 'v2 and allows a sufficient amount of fiuid in the space about the lower end of the auxiliary plunger to be displaced through said groove 56, ports 94, groove 93, and ports 87, groove 77, openings 84 and 85, passages 74 and 75 and outlet o, by the downward movement of the auxiliary plunger, un.

til the lower end of said plunger passes below the ports 88 in the bushing 44, whereupon the remaining oil below the auxiliary plunger within the bushing 44, is forced upwardly by-said plunger during the remainder of its downward stroke, through the grooves 90 of the bushing 44 and out through the groove 93, ports 87 openings 84 and 85, passages 74 land 75 and outlet fvf. With the engine piston e and r'od e3 andthe plunger /v and auxiliary plunger v2 at the end of their downward stroke, fiuid underpressure passes from the plunger u through ports 55, upper end of the bushing 44, ports 86, groove 76, ports 80 and 81 and passages 70 and 71 into'the lower end of the engine cylinder, whereupon the up v ward stroke of the engine piston e and pump p is effected. As the engine piston moves upward oil is forced out of the lengine cylinder through port e5, passages 72 and 73, ports -82 and 83, ports 88, groove 93 in the auxiliary plunger, ports 87 groove 77, openings 84 and 85, passages 74 and 75 and outlet fut.

e3 approach the end of their upward stroke the collar 62 engages the lower plunger head 58 and eHects the upward movement of the plunger/v. During the upward movement of said plunger the ports 55 pass through the bearing46 and shut off the'fiuids'from the plunger through bushing 44, ports 86, grooves 76, openings 80 and l81 and passages 70and 71 to the lower end of the engine cylinder c',

while the ports 57 pass above the bearing 43, whereupon fluid under'pressure passes from the plunger through said ports 57 between the upper end of bearingv43 and the lower beveled end 91 of the auxiliar plunger v2 and' effects the upward stroke o the aux- As the enginev piston e and the valve rod 4 iliary lunger, during the end of which stroke t e oil in the upper end of the bushing 44 is forced by the upper end of the auxiliary plunger through the grooves 89 in the upper end of said bushing, out through ports 86, groove 76 and openings-8O and 81 into the passages and 71, thus permitting the auxiliary plunger to reach t strokel The pump plunger rod p2 is of approxifirilately one-llialf the Icross-lectional larea of t 'e pump unger p, so t at sai p un er rod will displace one-half the oil whichgis lifted by the pum plunger p on its downward stroke, and orce said displaced oil up through the return tube R on said down `stroke lof the plunger, leaving only the rereturn tube, 4and by detachably sealing the lower end, of the return' tube it is possible to introduce thepump engine and intake into the well and pull the same therefrom independently of the return tube. It will be noted that the valve, engine and pump are disposed in tandem formation and constitute a string insertable in the return tube. Thus, the string may be pulled or withdrawn as e upper end of its ak unit with all the operating parts and replaced.

The operation of the oil pump P pumps the oil out of the well through the tube 6, coupling K and its outlets 13, return tube R,

casing head chamber 110 and delivery pipe The fluid pumped by the operating engine O from tank T through the valve Vaud into the engine E passes from the valve outlet v4 into return tube R, mingling with the oil from the well and passing to casing head1 chamber 110. Part of the oil from chamber v 110 passes through pipe 116 into the tank T.

When the valve plunger ports 55 and 57 are closed'the Huid from the tube 104 backs up in the gas pressurechamber 102 and compressesthe gas above the fluid in the chamber, thus cushioning the fluid and ensuring aneven flow and pressure thereof.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 16 to 19 inclusive, the inlet tube 99 is eliminated-andan auxiliary pump return ytube R is provided for returning the fluid pumped through the valve V into the engine back to the tank T. The lock sleeve 48 is formed with an enlarged. extension 48a on its upper end provided with an internal thread 48b into which the lower threaded end 101 of the gas cushion tube 102 is screwed.

The lower end of the auxiliary return tube R is provided with an internal thread 7" which engages the 'thread 97 on the valve cylinder o. The passages 74 and 75 are extended upwardly in the valve cylinder so that the outlet e4 discharges into the lower end of the auxiliary return tube E', whereby the :duid passing from the yengine and valve are conducted back to the tank T independently of the oil pumped out of the well through the return tube R, the auxiliary return tube R being within the return tube R.

It is obvious that various modiications,

changes, and variations may be made in practicing the invention, in departure from the specific features so disclosed, without departing from the true spirit ot the invention.

Having thus disclosed my invention, ll claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent.:

l. A. pumping apparatus, including a pump, an engine, and engine valve, a hollow coupling' for coupling said pump and said engine, through which coupling the engine.l piston rod and the pump rod extend,

means for supplyingfiuid under pressure through said valve to the engine cylinder and piston to operate the engine and pump, a pump return tube surrounding the engine and coupling, a hollow plug in the lower end of said return tube formed with a seat, the lower end of said coupling being formed with a surface for engaging said seat, said coupling having outlets leading into said return tube.

2. A' pumping apparatus, including a pump, an engine, and engine valve, a hollow coupling for coupling said pump and said engine, through which coupling the engine lpiston rod and the pump rod extend, means for supplying fluid underv pressure through said valve to the engine cylinder and piston to operate the engine and pump, a pump return tube surrounding the engine and coupling, a hollow plug in the lower end of said return tube formed with a seat, the lowerend of said coupling being formed with a surface for engaging said seat, said coupling having outletsV leading into said return tube; a packing boxin the upper end of said coupling through which the engine piston extends, and pressure means Jfor compressing the packing in said packing box for maintaining fluid-tight Contact of said packing and the piston rod.

3. A pumping apparatus, including a pump, an engine, and` engine valve, a hollow coupling for coupling said pump and said engme, through which coupling the engine piston rod and the pump rod extend, means tor supplying iiuid under pressure through said valve to the engine cylinder and piston to operate the engine and pump, a pump return tube surrounding the engine and coupling, a hollow plug in the lower end of said return tube formed with a seat, the lower end of said coupling being formed with a surface for envaging said seat, said coupling having outlets leading into said return tube; the upper end of said coupling being screw-seated in the lower end of the engine cylinder and forming the lower head of the cylinder, and a packing box in the upper end of said coupling surrounding the engine piston.

4. A pumping apparatus for wells comprising a casing head having a discharge for pumped liquid, a return tube depending from said casing, a shoe in said tube, a tubular string having a seat supported on said shoe and forming a fluid tight seal, said string being disposed within said tube to provide'a space therebetween for flow of liquid to said casing head, a reciprocating pump including a plunger rod disposed in said string below said shoe, discharge outlets in said string above said shoe placing said pump in communication with said space, a reciprocating engine within said string and disposed above said discharge outlets, means sealing said engine from said outlets, passages in said tubular string Jfor supply of operating fluid to said engine, said rod being operatively connected to said engine, a valve in said string operated by said engine and controlling the operating fluid for said engine, said tubular string 'forming a conduit for supply of operating fluid.

5. A pumping apparatus for oil wells comprising a return tube for pumped oil, a shoe in said return tube, a tubular string having a seat supported in said shoe to form therewith an insertable string: said string including in tandem formation, a reciprocating. pump disposed below said shoe and having delivery ports opening to a space formed between said string and return tube; a reciproeating engine above said delivery ports and sealed therefrom, said engine being operatively connected to said pump; a control valve for said engine and operated thereby, the upper portion of said string constituting a conduit for supply of operating fluid to said engine.

6. A pumping apparatus for wells comprising a return tube for pumped liquid, a shoe in said return tube, a tubular string having a seat supported on said shoe to form therewith an insertable string: said string including in tandem formation a reciprocating pump having an inlctbelow said shoe and an outlet above said shoe communicating with said return tube; an engine operatively secured thereto; and a valve for said engine, said string constituting a conduit for supply of operating fluid to said engine.

In .testimony whereof, l have signed my name to this specification,

JGHN A. YERKES.

no l 

